Automatic analytical instrument

Abstract

An automatic analytical instrument comprising a plurality of specimen tubes to store specimens, a plurality of storage tubes to store a part of the specimens contained in the specimen tubes by dispensing, a first dispensing unit to dispense the specimens contained in the specimen tubes into the storage tubes, a first turning table to hold a plurality of the storage tubes and transfer them by revolution, a plurality of analytical tubes to store a part of the specimens contained in the storage tubes by dispensing, a second dispensing unit to dispense the specimens contained in the storage tubes into the analytical tubes, a second turning table to hold a plurality of the analytical tubes and transfer them by revolution, an analytical unit to analyze the specimens contained in the analytical tubes, a transfer unit to transfer the analytical tubes held in the second turning table to the analytical unit, an delivering unit to deliver the analytical tubes after analysis is completed, a tube supply unit to supply the storage tubes and the analytical tubes which fall naturally into the first turning table and the second turning table, and a control unit to control dispensing by the first dispensing unit and the second dispensing unit, revolution by the first turning table and the second turning table, analysis by the analytical unit, transfer by the transfer unit, delivery by the delivering unit and supply by the tube supply unit.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An automatic analytical instrument, comprising: 
 a first turning table for holding a plurality of tubes;    a second turning table for holding a plurality tubes; and    a tube supply unit for supplying the tubes to the first turning table and the second turning table,    wherein the tube supply unit includes a tube supply part having a hole for supplying the tube to at least one of the first turning table and the second turning table by free fall of the tube, and a transporting part for transporting the tube to the tube supply part.    
     
     
         2 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first turning table and the second turning table are set in concentric circles having different diameters.  
     
     
         3 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first turning table and the second turning table have a plurality of holding holes on their circumference, respectively, to hold the tubes.  
     
     
         4 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the transporting part has a storage part for storing the tubes and a chute for making the tubes align and slide down.  
     
     
         5 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tube supply part has a holding part for receiving the tube from the chute and holding the receiving tube.  
     
     
         6 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the holding part has an allocation part having two holes for supplying the tube to at least one of the first turning table and the second turning table, the allocation part for allocating the tube to one of two holes.  
     
     
         7 . An automatic analytical instrument, comprising: 
 a turning table for holding a plurality of tubes, and a tube supply unit for supplying the tubes to the turning table,    wherein the tube supply unit includes a tube supply part having a hole for supplying the tube to the turning table by free fall of the tube, and a transporting part for transporting the tube to the tube supply part.    
     
     
         8 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 a first dispensing unit for dispensing specimens from a specimen tube to the tubes in the first turning table;    a second dispensing unit for dispensing specimens from the tubes in the first turning table to the tubes in the second turning table; and    an analytical unit for analyzing specimens in the dispensed tubes.    
     
     
         9 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the first and second turning table are set in concentric circles having different diameters. and second turning table have a plurality of holding holes on their circumference, respectively, to hold the tubes.  
     
     
         10 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the first and second turning table have a plurality of holding holes on their circumference, respectively, to hold the tubes.  
     
     
         11 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the transporting part has a storage part for storing the tubes and a chute for making the tubes align and slide down.  
     
     
         12 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the tube supply part has a holding part for receiving the tube from the chute and holding the receiving tube.  
     
     
         13 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the holding part has an allocation part which has two holes for supplying the tube to at least one of the first and second turning table, the allocation part for allocating the tube to one of two holes.  
     
     
         14 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 7 , comprising a dispensing unit for dispensing specimens from a specimen tube to the tubes in the turning table and an analytical unit for analyzing specimens in the dispensed tubes.  
     
     
         15 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the turning table has a plurality of holding holes on their circumference to hold the tubes.  
     
     
         16 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the transporting part has a storage part for storing the tubes and a chute for making the tubes align and slide down.  
     
     
         17 . An automatic analytical instrument as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the tube supply part has a holding part for receiving the tube from the chute and holding the receiving tube.